Bruce Springsteen: Honors damaged home state, New Jersey

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen says his home state will rebound from the devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy.

During a stop at the Jordan Center on the Penn State campus, Springsteen also thanked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for "doing a fine job" of taking care of citizens. He lauded police, firefighters and other first responders.

Springsteen then launched into an extended, heart-wrenching rendition of his song "My City of Ruins."

His legion of dedicated fans roared back with reverent approval, most of them acquiescing to Springsteen when he signaled for quiet as the lights dimmed at one point, as if requesting a moment of silence.

His shirt soaked with sweat just a half-hour into the show, Springsteen said he and his E Street Band feel a strong connection to New Jersey wherever they are.

"It’s so hard to see those businesses ... be washed away by the storm last week," Springsteen said.

Several fans on the floor among a crowd of at least 12,500 held up signs referencing the damage along the Jersey shore.

Springsteen also made several other references to the storm during the show. He said he hoped Asbury Park, N.J. -- the city where he cut his musical teeth in the early days -- would recover from Sandy’s wake much quicker than the 25 years it took for the coastal town to rally from earlier hard times.

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